3 Christmas Canapés to Impress Your Guests This Season
Christmas hosting should feel joyful, not stressful, which is why I always reach for canapés that are simple to assemble, easy to serve, and guaranteed to disappear within minutes. These three are my go to classics - elegant, delicious, and full of festive flavour.
1. Classic Smoked Salmon Blinis
Light, luxurious, and impossibly easy.
There’s something wonderfully timeless about smoked salmon at Christmas and blinis are the perfect canapé. They’re elegant, effortless, and always the first thing people reach for.
What you’ll need:
• Mini blinis (shop bought is perfect)
• Crème fraîche or sour cream
• Smoked salmon
• Lemon zest
• Fresh dill
• Cracked black pepper
How to make them:
Warm your blinis lightly in the oven/pan, add a small spoon of crème fraîche, top with a curl of smoked salmon, and finish with lemon zest, dill, and pepper. They look gorgeous, taste even better, and take under 10 minutes to assemble.
Why they work:
They’re fresh, creamy, and perfectly bite sized, the ideal canapé with a glass of something cold and sparkling.
2. Honey Mustard Pigs in Blankets (with a Veggie Twist)
The crowd pleaser but elevated.
Pigs in blankets are a Christmas classic, but this version feels a little more grown up. A sticky honey mustard glaze makes them caramelised, glossy, and completely irresistible.
What you’ll need:
• Cocktail sausages
• Streaky bacon
• Honey
• Wholegrain mustard
• Thyme (optional)
How to make them:
Wrap each sausage in a strip of bacon, whisk together honey and mustard, and brush generously over the top. Roast until golden, glossy and sizzling. Add thyme for fragrance.
Veggie Version: Dates in Blankets
Swap the sausages for Medjool dates stuffed with a little goat’s cheese or almonds, then wrap in a thin layer of lightly brushed filo. Drizzle with the same honey mustard glaze.
They’re sticky, sweet, savoury and absolutely delicious.
Why they work:
Classic comfort food, but elevated with just a few thoughtful touches.
3. Whipped Brie & Cranberry Pastry Cups
Creamy, flaky, festive and totally indulgent.
This is the canapé that will have people asking for the recipe before they’ve even finished their first bite. It’s rich, warm, and beautifully Christmassy, a perfect blend of creamy brie, buttery pastry, and tangy cranberry.
What you’ll need:
• Pre made puff pastry
• Brie (or camembert)
• Cranberry sauce (whole berry works best)
• Toasted pecans (optional)
• A little rosemary
How to make them:
Cut the puff pastry into small squares and press into a mini muffin tin to form little cups. Spoon in a small piece of brie and a teaspoon of cranberry sauce. Bake until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melting. Top with a toasted pecan and the tiniest pinch of rosemary.
Why they work:
They’re rich, gooey, festive and feel far more complicated than they actually are.
Perfect for passing around the table, or serving on a beautiful platter.
Final Tip: Serve Beautifully
Even the simplest canapés feel special when served on a well styled Christmas table.
Use a mix of heights, small dishes, and festive touches like a scattering of herbs, a handful of pomegranate seeds, or even a ribboned napkin.
And of course… a gorgeous VOI tablecloth underneath it all.